Moving machinery safety

Abstract

Apparatus and method for providing a safety barrier proximate to a hazardous region such as open support truss work of an escalator, comprising an extendable barrier member such as a chainmail panel, slidable on at least one support element securable to a support framework proximate to the hazardous region; wherein the extendable barrier member is movable between a closed and an open position allowing access to the hazardous region to allow for maintenance, and a closed position in which the barrier member provides a barrier over an opening of the support framework.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for providing a safety barrier proximate to a hazardous region, the apparatus comprising:
 an extendable barrier member slidable on at least one support element, the at least one support element comprising a wire rope supported in a groove provided in each of a plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the groove is provided on an outer surface of each of the plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the groove is machined around a circumference of each of the plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the at least one support element is securable to a support framework proximate to the hazardous region; and 
 wherein the extendable barrier member is movable between a closed position and an open position and wherein, in the closed position, the extendable barrier member provides a barrier over a respective opening of the support framework. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the extendable barrier member comprises a web of chainmail. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wire rope comprises a pre-measured length of wire rope having a first end and a second end, and further wherein each end of the pre-measured length of wire rope is attached by wire attachment means to a respective tensioning element. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the wire attachment means comprises a plurality of attachment studs and the tensioning element comprises a turnbuckle. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a pull bar attached to a moveable end of the extendable barrier member. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the pull bar further comprises pull bar attachment means to attach the pull bar to the support framework when the extendable barrier member is in the closed position. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the pull bar attachment means comprises hooks or clips which are engageable with cooperating elements of the support framework to maintain the extendable barrier member in the closed position. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pull bar further comprises handles that project orthogonally from the pull bar and the extendable barrier member to facilitate opening and closing of the extendable barrier member. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the pull bar further comprises one or more hooks that releasably couple the extendable barrier member to the wire rope to hold the extendable barrier member in the closed position, and wherein the pull bar further comprises a cam lock that releasably locks the extendable barrier member in the closed position. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising the plurality of wire supports, wherein the plurality of wire supports comprise stud stands and threaded dowels. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the stud stands are welded onto the support framework, and wherein the threaded dowels are partially screwed into the stud stands such that the groove is not inserted into the stud stands and projects clear of the stud stands. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a mounting plate positioned between the support framework and the plurality of wire supports, wherein the mounting plate is coupled to the support framework and wherein the mounting plate includes apertures for receiving the threaded dowels. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a slotted adjustment bar positioned between the support framework and the plurality of wire supports, wherein the slotted adjustment bar is coupled to the support framework, and wherein the slotted adjustment bar comprises an elongated slot for receiving the threaded dowels, wherein the positioning of the threaded dowels is adjustable along a length of the elongated slot. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more spacers positioned between the plurality of wire supports and the support framework to increase the distance between the support framework and the extendable barrier member. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for providing a safety barrier proximate to a hazardous region, the apparatus comprising:
 an extendable barrier member slidable on at least one support element; 
 the at least one support element comprising a wire rope supported in a groove provided in each of a plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the groove is provided on an outer surface of each of the plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the groove is machined around a circumference of each of the plurality of wire supports; 
 the at least one support element being securable to a support framework proximate to the hazardous region; 
 wherein 
 the extendable barrier member is movable between a closed position and an open position and wherein, in the closed position, the extendable barrier member provides a barrier over a respective opening of the support framework; and 
 a pull bar attached to a moveable end of the extendable barrier member, and a locking means configured to releasably lock the pull bar in position. 
 
     
     
       16. An apparatus for providing a safety barrier proximate to a hazardous region, the apparatus comprising:
 an extendable barrier member slidable on at least one support element; 
 the at least one support element comprising a wire rope supported in a groove provided in each of a plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the groove is provided on an outer surface of each of the plurality of wire supports; 
 wherein the groove is machined around a circumference of each of the plurality of wire supports; 
 the at least one support element being securable to a support framework proximate to the hazardous region; 
 the extendable barrier member is movable between a closed position and an open position, and wherein in the closed position, the extendable barrier member provides a barrier over a respective opening of the support framework; and 
 a plurality of lockable carabiner clips that suspend the extendable barrier member from a wire rope.